Elements of Acting (7 Parts)

Synopsis

Edward Petherbridge links masterclass presentations with live excerpts from his one-man stage show. Each of the seven videos shows him in discussions and rehearsal work with students in a practical enquiry into elements of acting and the nature of theatre itself. The titles are: Part 1- MASK. Part 2: PUPPETRY AND UNDULATIONS. Part 3 - TIMING. Part 4 - STYLE Part 5 - TOTAL THEATRE. Part 6 - Edward Gordon Craig. Part 6 - SERIES REVIEW.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 18, 27, 27, 28, 27, 19, 28 min.

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Year of release

1992

Year of production

1992

Availability

Out of Distribution; 1999 sale: £12.75 (+VAT inc. p&p) each part

Notes

The three individual tapes which discuss Shakespeare (TOTAL THEATRE, EDWARD GORDON CRAIG and STYLE) have been catalogued separately.

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

acting techniques; drama teaching; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); Rehearsals; Masterclasses; One-Person shows

Credits

Director

Terence Gross

Cast

Edward Petherbridge

Sections

Title

Mask

Synopsis

Part 1: Rehearsal work exploring the imaginative use of simple comic and neutral masks and their function in character portrayal and epic storytelling. Two performed sequences suggest how mask work can be enhanced with the use of music, light and scenic effects.

Title

Puppetry and undulations

Synopsis

Part 2: How our bodies divulge the secrets of our moods and character both in the context of acting and relating to body language and communication in general.

Title

Timing

Synopsis

Part 3: The tempos and rhythms governing the simplest stage action and which lie beneath all drama. Includes a comic performance based on timing exercises of the French mime ‘Le Coq’, and a soliloquy from Sheridan’s ‘The Rivals’.

Title

Style

Synopsis

Part 4: The meaning of ‘style’, stimulated by satire on various styles of acting and teaching. The rehearsal work shows approaches to ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Genesis’.

Title

Total theatre

Synopsis

Part 5: The use and nature of theatre language. Students struggle to come to grips with clowning, improvisation and varied forms of dramatic storytelling.

Title

Edward Gordon Craig

Synopsis

Part 6: The work of Edward Gordon Craig, showing the elaborate Victorian theatre in which he acted as a boy, and reacted against. Shows a range of his theatre designs, including his work on ‘Hamlet’ at the Moscow Arts Theatre and on the controversial ‘Ube

Title

Series review

Synopsis

Part 7: A question-and-answer session dealing with students’ problems. Further exploration of the key elements of body language, the spoken word, timing and rhythm, style and realisation, and touches on the actor’s exploration of the dramatist’s text, and

Production Company

Name

Britannia Entertainment Ltd

Notes

see under David Wilkinson

Name

Yod Video

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Resources in Training & Education Ltd

Contact

Donald Hill, Mark Brady

Email

admin@riteltd.net

Web

http://www.riteltd.net External site opens in new window

Phone

01749 689027

Fax

01749 689027

Address

26 Lower Chapel Court
South Horrington
Wells
Somerset
BA5 3DF

Notes

Probably no longer in business (2009)